Urology/Uro-gynecology

With childbirth, repetitive lifting, weight gain and going through menopause, losing urine becomes more frequent. About 25% to 45% of women suffer from urinary incontinence, defined as leakage at least once in the past year. The rates of urinary incontinence increase with age: 20%-30% of young women, 30%-40% of middle-aged women, and up to 50% of older women suffer from urinary incontinence.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

Stress

Leaking of urine occurs when abdominal pressure is increased. Coughing, sneezing, standing, jogging, and lifting cause loss of urine either in small or large amounts.

Urge

Leaking of urine occurs when you first feel like you need to urinate. It is difficult to make it to the bathroom without losing at least a little urine.

Overactive Bladder

Urinary frequency and urgency, with or without urge incontinence.

Functional

Untimely urination because of physical disability, external obstacles, or problems in thinking or communicating that prevent a person from reaching a toilet.

Overflow

Unexpected leakage of small amounts of urine because of an over-full bladder.

Mixed

A combination of stress and urge incontinence together. The proportions of incontinence vary by individual.

Transient

Leakage that occurs temporarily because of a situation that will pass such as a urinary infection or taking a new medication.

Evaluation

At Canterbury Women's Health Care we have the ability to perform complete urologic evaluations including multi-channel cystometrograms, electro-myograms, uro-flowometry, and urethroscopy. This enables us to differentiate between the types of incontinence to help determine the best course of treatment to cure or reduce your incontinence.

Treatment

The most appropriate treatment for you will depend on the type of incontinence you have and your individual needs. Medication may be your best option. Pelvic floor therapy and bladder training programs may be your best choice. We also do surgery either by itself or in combination with hysterectomy or other vaginal surgery. As always you will have an active choice in deciding what is best for you and your lifestyle.